Salary Guide 2026
Latest salary trends and data analysis
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The Ashdown 2026 salary guide provides accurate and up to date salary information on the information technology, human resources, marketing, accountancy & finance sectors.
This guide draws upon a wide range of robust data sources, including insights from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), leading third-party labour market intelligence platforms, and our own proprietary recruitment and candidate datasets. We analyse real-time job vacancy and salary information to ensure accuracy and relevance. Our findings are informed by data collected and evaluated from over 3,400 organisations, 23,000 registered job vacancies, and more than 360,000 recently active candidates.
Job market and salary insights have been further informed by a series of targeted surveys distributed to more than 2,000 senior business leaders and hiring managers, primarily within small to medium-sized organisations employing fewer than 1,000 staff. The findings are validated and contextualised through the expertise, experience, and sector knowledge of the Ashdown Group recruitment team. This combined approach enables us to provide informed salary benchmarking and forward-looking analysis of employment market trends into 2026.
Salaries are shown as lower, median and upper quartile of the basic annual salary, without the inclusion of bonuses or benefits packages. Each percentile relates to a different level of experience and industry sector. The data is intended to be used as a guide and is based on average salaries per job role and region.
If you would like to find out more about how your salaries compare to others in the market, we offer our clients bespoke individual salary reports for a precise salary assessment, based on industry, geography, competition, job role and company size.
Employment Market Trends
As we move through 2026, the UK employment market is operating in a more stable but cautious environment. Inflation has eased and interest rates have begun to fall, providing greater cost visibility for employers, yet hiring appetite remains measured rather than expansive. Vacancy levels have started to rise modestly, signalling the early stages of a gradual recovery, but most organisations continue to prioritise replacement hiring and targeted skills acquisition over broad workforce growth.
Salary growth has normalised following the inflationary pressures of recent years. Our survey shows that 46.6% of employers expect to increase salaries broadly in line with inflation, while a further 27% anticipate rises of between 3–5%, and fewer than 5% expect increases above this level. Pay strategies are increasingly focused on scarce, high-impact skills rather than across-the-board increases.
Hybrid working remains firmly embedded, although expectations are tightening. Around 41% of organisations report increasing on-site requirements, most commonly to two or three days per week. Meanwhile, rapid AI adoption continues to reshape roles, skills demand, and workforce planning, reinforcing a shift towards more precise and productivity-focused hiring strategies.
July 2025
As we step into 2025, after a stagnant 2024, businesses are hoping for a less volatile period of stability before investing in growth and hiring, but uncertainties linger. This guide explores the trends that will define the employment market and salaries in the coming year, helping employers and job seekers navigate a rapidly changing environment.
Levels of job advertising fell for every consecutive month during 2024, and have been in decline since the summer of 2022. Despite this, skills availability within our sectors of IT, Marketing, Human Resources and Accounting have remained relatively tight and levels of employment remain high.
35% of surveyed employers anticipate increasing their permanent employee headcount during 2025.
Average salary increases are projected to decline significantly, from 6-7% in 2024 to just 3% in 2025. This trend is further amplified by nearly 22% of employers deciding against paying bonuses, while another 50% remain undecided until longer-term stability returns. Notably, a growing salary gap has appeared between large corporations and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Read more on salary negotiations>>>
July 2024
All early indications suggest that, although 2023 saw a decline in recruitment activity, as economic uncertainty starts to lift in 2024 we will see a return of confidence in the job market.
Levels of job advertising fell for every consecutive month during 2023, and have been in decline since the Summer of 2022, as interest rates started to climb. Despite this, skills availability within our sectors of IT, Marketing, Human Resources and Accounting have remained tight. Any increase in hiring demand during 2024 is likely to result in elevated salary as demand outstrips skills supply.
The pace of salary inflation has decelerated from the highs of 2022, with the market average within the professional private sector dropping to 6.6%. Notably, a growing salary gap has appeared between large corporations and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which is concerning for small businesses planning to grow.
This differential is likely to put pressure on smaller businesses in 2024 and will require an innovative approach to attract talent. Historically this has been met with work place flexibility, work hours flexibility, work place culture and other non salary related incentives to encourage new joiners. In a time where these incentives have become standard, small businesses may face skills shortages.
We recommend that our customers conduct a thorough role-based review of salaries. High-demand skills continue to exert upward pressure on certain salaries, surpassing inflation rates. Employers are encouraged to align compensation packages with market realities to attract and retain top talent.
July 2023
It hasn’t been a great 12 months from an employee’s perspective.
Hiring demand has fallen every month since July 2022, leading to greater candidate availability and impacting salary negotiations, making it harder for staff to insist on raises.
The volume of jobs has fallen by an average of 25% across our sectors between January and June 2023, and the number of jobs advertised is significantly lower than the same period in 2022. With interest rates rising in June for the ninth time since May 2022, this trend is likely to continue for the rest of the year.
Prior to this, high-demand skill areas such as software development and cyber security could previously expect annual salary increases of 10% to 15%. With demand faltering across the board, these roles are now seeing annual increases more in line with the national average of 6% to 7%. With inflation staying stubbornly at around 8%, even employees with the strongest negotiating powers are taking a real-terms hit of 2% to 3% in spending power.
Basic salaries are not the only area employees are receiving less. In 2022, our research showed 52% of employers across all four of our sectors gave employees some form of financial support to address the increased cost of living in 2022. In 2023, just 5% of employers are doing this.
January 2023
Throughout the first half of 2022, demand for candidates soared to an all-time high, plateauing in mid-summer as businesses scrambled to meet growth plans. Since then, we have seen a gentle cooling of the job market as economic pressures and market volatility eroded business confidence in the second half of the year, in line with ONS* job market data.
However, demand for staff within knowledge industries is still outstripping supply, meaning salary inflation for roles in these areas is above the national average within the private sector of 6.6%*.
With unemployment at its lowest since 1974 and a shortage of key skills, employers are under pressure to raise salaries to retain their teams and attract new employees.
Culture and Environment
Workplace culture in 2026 is becoming more structured, with organisations placing greater emphasis on performance, productivity, and measurable impact. Hybrid working remains firmly established, but expectations around office attendance are tightening, with many employers increasing on-site requirements to two or three days per week. This shift is creating some friction as employees weigh flexibility against rising commuting costs and time pressures. Meanwhile, rapid AI adoption is reshaping roles and expectations, increasing the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and the ability to deliver tangible value.
July 2025
The workplace culture is evolving, as businesses adapt to new economic realities. Hybrid working arrangements are under scrutiny, with some employers scaling back flexibility due to productivity concerns. Subsequently, working policies are changing, with 50% of employers now mandating three or more office days per week, and 10% insisting on full-time office attendance. This shift is causing friction among employees who have grown accustomed to remote working, leading to increased travel time and costs, and growing discontentment with greater office attendance expectations.
July 2024
Following a candidate survey there has been a shift in priority with flexible workplace/hybrid working being replaced at top slot by an increase in salary becoming the number one reason for changing jobs. We believe this has been driven by the cost of living, but also that hybrid working has become an expectation rather than a benefit or privilege and is consequently viewed differently.
However, with a weaker job market, we have seen a growing number of businesses insisting on employees being in the office more often. For some this is now 5 days a week and, where in 2022 the balance was two days in the office, 3 days at home, this has now reversed. This increases an employee’s costs and time and is deeply unpopular. As the demand for skills increases with an improving economy, any insistence on office presenteeism is likely to back fire as employees have more favourable conditions presented to them with a switch of jobs.
Following a review of candidates priorities carried out by the Ashdown recruitment team, we list the most important factors considered when moving job in priority order.
July 2023
Salaries have become more important to employees, but they’re not the only aspect considered when deciding whether to take a job. Workplace flexibility has become highly important to many – in part because avoiding high commuting costs can help ease the pressure in an inflationary environment with stagnating salaries.
It would be easy to think that the softening job market has given employers the upper hand when it comes to persuading people to return to the office. But it’s not that simple. In addition to the cost of commuting, employees have become wedded to the comparative freedom working from home can offer, and coming into the office more than three days a week is deeply unpopular. Businesses who do insist on five days a week in the office are likely to find themselves having to pay higher salaries as a result – and potentially still finding it difficult to fill roles. Conversely, others will be able to use their flexible approach to entice sought-after staff.
Instead of a forced office return, we have seen many employers focusing on the benefits of office-based work in a bid to persuade people in. Collaborative projects, training sessions and team decision making sessions all help to bring people together. Employers can also educate staff about the negatives of being too isolated, which can impact mental and physical health as well as personal motivation.
January 2023
With a highly competitive job market, companies have been looking at innovative approaches to attract and retain employees, with an increased focus on wellbeing and purpose via ESG (environmental, social, and governance) schemes.
Flexible working and hybrid work environments are now an expectation for many employees.
2022 saw employees focus on the purpose of the organisations they work for. There is growing pressure on companies to ensure they are sharing and communicating company values and demonstrating their impact on society, with employees finding it increasingly important that their employers act ethically and with integrity. Any business that ignores these factors will lose out when looking to attract new talent. Diversity, sustainability and minimising impact on the environment are all key factors for candidates looking for new roles.
Media stories flagged the growth of so-called ‘quiet quitting’ – doing the bare minimum at work - gaining momentum as a trend online in 2022, but this was not something we’ve observed in our network.
Following years of pandemic lockdowns that involved 100% remote working, the preferred hybrid model, favoured by most employers and employees, is two to three days in the office per week. Employees are pushing for a more balanced life, while employers are seeking the benefits of collaborative face-to-face time. Businesses insisting on Monday to Friday office-based work are accessing a much smaller talent pool, or having to pay as much as 10% more to attract new talent.
With pay historically higher in London and the South East, salaries are now becoming more consistent across the regions as remote working becomes the norm - especially within hard to fill positions. This is putting regional businesses under pressure, with many struggling to hire.
As a result of these cost pressures, more businesses are being forced to consider outsourcing their hard to find roles.
Short-term challenges
Employers in 2026 face a complex mix of cost discipline, evolving workforce expectations, and rapid technological change. While economic conditions have stabilised, hiring remains cautious, with most organisations prioritising targeted recruitment over expansion. Around 41% of businesses report increasing office attendance requirements, creating potential retention risks, while 46.6% plan salary increases broadly in line with inflation, limiting scope for real term pay growth. At the same time, accelerating AI adoption is outpacing governance in many organisations, creating skills gaps and operational risks that leaders must address in the near term.
July 2025
Employers face several short-term challenges in 2025. The introduction of the Employment Rights Bill and increased employer National Insurance contributions are adding financial strain. Additionally, the cautious hiring approach, particularly within SMEs, is hampering growth. The need to balance productivity with employee satisfaction in hybrid working models is another pressing issue. Automation and artificial intelligence are becoming central strategies for 29% of businesses, streamlining administrative roles and signalling a long-term shift in workforce dynamics.
July 2024
A number of economic speculators are predicting interest rates falling to 4-4.5% in 2024. With each interest rate drop will come additional investment, greater confidence and a return to growth in the economy.
For now, job vacancy volumes remain depressed, candidate availability has improved and there is less competition for top talent. However, as the economy recovers, we predict a fairly rapid reversal of the current situation. With certain skills already in tight supply employers are likely to enter a bidding war if they want the best. In addition to competitive pay, benefits such as workplace flexibility and overall package will help to attract talent when we return to an employee led job market.
We are starting to see a growing divide between the pay of large businesses versus small to medium firms. Small companies will need to come up with innovative ways to attract new talent should they find themselves in a position of growth.
July 2023
July 2023At the moment, there is relatively little light at the end of the tunnel. As the Bank of England wrestles with inflation, the financial markets predict further increases in interest rates and we expect this will further impact demand for skills and growth hiring in the short term.
During 2022 many employers, finding it difficult to fill roles, hired at a lower level of skill and experience than usual. As a result, retention and development has become a core focus of businesses – 52% of the businesses we surveyed are maintaining their training budget in 2023 and over 40% are increasing spend in this area.
GDP growth and better economic conditions will return at some point – current forecasts suggest midway through 2024 – and businesses need to be careful that, with so little growth hiring currently occurring, they are in a position to deliver on their planned strategy once growth returns. A lack of talent may cause problems for those who fail to plan now for better economic times.
Cost of Living
Cost of living pressures remain a key concern for employees, even as inflation eases. Rising housing, rent, and daily expenses continue to shape career choices, especially as stricter office attendance increases commuting costs. Although 46.6% of organisations plan pay rises in line with inflation, real income growth is still limited, and one-off cost of living bonuses have largely disappeared. Larger employers can better absorb cost pressures through higher pay or stronger benefits, while smaller organisations compete through flexibility and broader roles. With a subdued job market reducing employee bargaining power, candidates are focusing on total reward, balancing pay, flexibility, and career development when evaluating opportunities.
July 2025
The cost-of-living squeeze remains a significant concern for employees. Mortgage interest rates, high rents, and commuting expenses are heavily influencing career decisions. Greater office attendance expectations have increased commuting costs for employees, and alongside higher energy costs, stubbornly high mortgage rates, and lower salary improvements, individuals will see a fall in disposable income in real terms.
Larger employers have been able to support employees increased cost pressures with larger salary gains, compared to small to medium businesses, many of whom are already under cost pressure. However smaller firms have remained more agile around workplace flexibility, enabling employees to reduce commuting costs.
July 2024
Over the past 12 months the financial strain experienced by individuals due to increased living costs has led to some discontent among employees. At the same time businesses have grappled with rising operational costs, constraining their ability to implement substantial salary increases. The prevailing job market conditions have tempered the appetite for inflation beating salaries and we believe this will likely lead to greater employee churn between jobs in the year ahead.
In addition, salary negotiations have become tougher for employees as candidate availability has eased, and job vacancy volumes are lower. Salary increases above the rate of inflation have become a thing of the past, except for in high demand skill areas.
With falling inflation there has been a reduction in cost of living support from employers. However, many non-financial measures have remained and there has been an increase in awareness around the link between productivity and wellbeing, with many post-pandemic initiatives now becoming standard benefits.
Cost-of-living and wellbeing support measures
Despite the drop in cost-of-living financial support, many employers in the UK are still taking an active interest in employee wellbeing, including financial wellbeing, as part of a broader employee engagement initiative.
July 2023
The cost-of-living crisis is having a profound effect on employees in 2023, with a higher salary becoming the primary reason for seeking a new job. Most UK incomes are falling in real terms, with increased taxation and high inflation having an impact.
In 2022 companies rushed to help, putting a range of measures in place to ease the pressure if they couldn’t offer inflation-matched pay rises. But while these are still ongoing at some employers, the level of support on offer has fallen over the last 12 months. During 2022 over half (52%) of the businesses we surveyed offered a one off cost-of-living payment or other financial assistance; in 2023 just 5% plan to repeat this.
In addition, salary negotiations have become tougher for employees. In 2022, we saw more organisations increasing salaries in line with or above inflation – software development and testing roles, for instance, saw annual increases averaging 15%. Things have been much more muted in 2023, with annual increases in hard-to-fill areas now matching the national average of 6% to 7%.
It’s important to note that the impact of these smaller raises will be particularly acute in 2023, because of rising housing costs. Across 2023 the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measure of inflation is predicted to be 7%. The RPI, however, includes mortgage payments, and is expected to be above 10%. As employees come to the end of fixed rates of 1% to 2% interest and move on to today’s rates of 6 or 7%, their disposable income will fall dramatically. Renters will also suffer as landlords pass their costs on.
Cost-of-living support measures
Despite the drop in cost-of-living support, many employers in the UK are still taking an active interest in employee wellbeing, including financial wellbeing, as part of a broader employee engagement initiative. Measures include:
- Introduction of employee assistance programmes (EAP) that support staff with financial wellbeing. They offer access to free financial advice, training, and debt management services.
- Crisis management loans with no interest.
- Upskilling employees and supporting professional development.
- Subsidised meals.
- Offering additional work-from-home options to reduce commuting costs and subsidised travel.
- Introduction of workplace stress management programmes.
In Demand Skills
There is sustained demand for skills that drive productivity, automation, data-driven decision-making, and customer insight, as organisations focus on efficiency and measurable results. Investments across sectors increasingly target capabilities that improve operations, streamline processes, and advance digital transformation.
As AI shifts from experimentation to daily use, employers seek professionals who combine technical expertise with commercial and responsible application of technology. Skills in data analysis, AI literacy, cybersecurity, and digital platforms are highly valued, especially when they support innovation, risk management, and scalable growth. Research from LinkedIn and the World Economic Forum highlights rapid growth in technology-adjacent skills and analytical thinking.
Human capabilities are becoming increasingly important. As automation takes over routine tasks, skills such as communication, adaptability, critical thinking, leadership, and emotional intelligence set high performers apart. Employers consistently report these skills are essential for interpreting insights, managing change, influencing stakeholders, and enabling cross-functional collaboration.
Organisations are placing greater emphasis on hiring individuals with hybrid skill sets - those who blend technical knowledge with strong interpersonal and commercial awareness. Many are also investing in upskilling and continuous learning to help their workforce adapt to rapid technological change.
Ultimately, the most valuable professionals bridge technology and human insight. As AI transforms work, success will depend on combining digital fluency with judgement, creativity, and relationship-building, highlighting the importance of balanced, future-ready capabilities.
Shifts in Employment Trends
Employment levels remain relatively strong across professional sectors, though hiring continues to focus on replacement roles and targeted skills rather than broad expansion. Vacancy volumes have begun to rise modestly, suggesting early signs of recovery, while candidate movement remains measured. Job security and career stability continue to rank highly alongside flexibility and salary, and many organisations are maintaining a greater reliance on interim, contract, and flexible workforce solutions to manage uncertainty.
Looking Ahead
As 2026 progresses, the employment market is expected to remain stable but selective, with organisations prioritising productivity, targeted hiring, and skills that deliver measurable impact. Salary growth is likely to stay modest overall, with increases focused on scarce and high-value capabilities. Employers that align reward, flexibility, skills development, and technology within a clear workforce strategy will be best placed to attract and retain talent as hiring conditions gradually improve.
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